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Knowing Your Audience

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Knowing Your Audience
Roberto Robles
BCOM/275
October 1, 2012
Mrs. Bullon

Knowing Your Audience
What is the most important rule you can think of when communicating with others? The first thing we should all take into account when communicating in any form is, who is going to be the recipient. Who are we communicating with? Knowing our audience in crucial so that we can convey our message correctly and minimize any confusion or misunderstanding. We can adjust our feelings, position and our attitude according to the specific situation and to whom the message is going out to. We can also tailor the way we deliver our message appropriately by understanding our audience and by having a firm understanding of all the variables in relation to the message we will send out. In this case, I will be communicating with the workers and family members of the copper mine workers that were trapped when a mine collapsed in Chile a few years back. This event surely raised similar feelings between co-workers of the trapped miners and their families as well, however when communicating to both parties the same communication would not be appropriate. Whatever similar feelings they shared, both parties also had separate feelings and concerns based on the fact that the personal relationships to the trapped miners were different. Both parties had different distinct roles in relation to the trapped miners so I will address each accordingly.
From a management prospective, I think it is important to immediately address the employees of the company through an e-mail memorandum then followed up with a company meeting. The workers are after all the way that the company generates revenue, in this case through the mining of the copper so they are vital to the future success of the company. I think that when notifying the company employees, it is crucial to lay out a plan for them detailing how future incidents like this one could be avoided or at least minimized. That would help ease their tension a bit. This company has a history of neglect in the safety department, having had previous deaths and mine collapses. Knowing this information it is important for the company to take into account what their workers may have wanted or needed in the past and then follow that by taking action and keeping their word. The company basically has not addressed any of those safety concerns either, so that would be an important place to start. This would regain the some trust from the employees. Making the workers aware that better working conditions, improved safety practices and modern equipment would be implemented immediately would also put them at ease a bit. Perhaps in a gesture to gain further trust and keep a good relationship with the workers, better compensation would also be necessary in relation to the dangerous work environment they are in. Since the company has a history of neglecting the work force and safety conditions, an acknowledgment and apology to them would also help maintain a good relationship.
When communicating to the family members, a higher level of sensitivity must come into play. The families will surely be on an emotional rollercoaster so sincerity, compassion, sympathy and comfort must be always evident in the delivery of the message so I think a face to face delivery is necessary. The company could contact all family members and have them meet so that they can break the news before they hear it on the news or elsewhere. Family members will undoubtedly have more questions than employees since they are not directly aware of day to day operations. Being detailed in the message would answer the majority of their questions. They would also need to feel secure in knowing that the company is doing everything possible to rescue their loved ones. Assuring the family members that they will be updated constantly and immediately as any news unfolds would also help put them at ease a bit. The company could also provide family members some support either by counseling or therapy to help deal with the stress and emotions at hand at no cost to them.
Memorandum to employees

DATE: Friday 8/6/2010 7:00 a.m.
TO: employees@minera.san.esteban.com
FROM: management@minera.san.esteban.com
SUBJECT: Mine Collapse Incident

Minera San Esteban Employees,

On August 5, 2010 we had a serious incident occur at San Jose mine site in Copiapo. The current information we have is as follows. As of 14:00hrs, we were notified that the mine has collapsed and that workers close to the surface were able to escape. We regret to inform you all that we do have 33 employees trapped underground. Government authorities have been notified. All attempts will be made to locate the trapped employees immediately. The employees are believed to be trapped at a depth of 300 meters. We are in the initial stages of our rescue planning in the event that we make positive contact with the trapped workers. We will be notifying all employees on upcoming date and time of company meeting where further questions or concerns may be asked and addressed accordingly. Please keep our brothers and their families in your prayers as we get through this difficult time. Rest assured that we will make the best effort possible to get our employees out safely. Safety is and has always been our top priority. We have learned from our past mishaps and we will do everything in our power to prevent incidents from the past reoccurring in our future. Please check your inbox regularly as we will be disseminating any new information to our staff via email as we receive it. Thank you all.

Minera San Esteban Management

Communication to Family Members
Dear Minera San Esteban employee families, Thank you for coming here today on such a short notice. I wish we were meeting on different terms; however I have the difficult task of delivering some bad news to you all today. On August 5th, the San Jose mine in which your loved ones were working at had an unfortunate accident. At approximately 14:00hrs the mine collapsed and it trapped the men inside. I know this news is very difficult to receive but please rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to make sure your loved ones get out safely. We are already in the process of trying to establish communications with them. From the information we have received, we believe the men are somewhere around 300 meters and we have high expectations that they reached the safety bunker at the bottom of the mine. There are some rations in the bunker to last them enough time until they can be rescued, but time is of the essence for all of us so we are acting very rapidly. These next few days will be difficult for us all so the company is going to provide counseling and church services as well to all family members that have been directly affected by this accident. Please rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to get the men out and bring them home. Please feel free to ask any questions after the meeting and know that any new developments in the regards to the men will be communicated to you all as soon as we receive the info. Once again I am sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances and we will be in contact shortly. Thank you all.

Management

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